OCRACOKE ISLAND, N.C. - A mandatory evacuation has been issued for Ocracoke Island beginning Friday for visitors and Saturday for residents ahead of Hurricane Isaias.
The Ocracoke Control Group made the recommendation that the Hyde County Board of Commissioners enact a mandatory evacuation of the island.
A mandatory visitor evacuation of Ocracoke is effective at 12 p.m., Friday, July 31. A mandatory resident and nonresident property owner evacuation of Ocracoke will be effective at 6 a.m., Saturday, August 1.
Ocracoke entry is currently restricted to residents, homeowners, vendors, and other essential personnel requested by Federal, State, or County officials until the evacuation orders begin. You will need an Ocracoke re-entry pass or adequate documentation on the vehicle to be allowed on any ferries inbound to Ocracoke. Once the evacuation orders are active, only emergency personnel will be allowed entry to the island.
The sound-side ferry routes are already operating at a greatly reduced capacity due to shoaling in a key channel, officials said. It is highly recommended that residents utilize the Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry route as the sound routes will reach capacity fast.
Isaias's forecast track is showing movement up the U.S. East Coast early next week.
Everyone should begin their evacuations as soon as possible, according to officials.
